The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-12-01


When we were ready, as it still lacked
little OF train time, we gathered in An
drews' room for an informal council of
war. Some were seated on the edge of
the bed, one or two on chairs, and the
remainder stood around as best they
could We did not speak very loud, as we
wished no sharers in our plans. Andrews
gave no charlottesville time for that
had passed-but rather cautions to pre-
vent too precipitate action. He said:
"When the train stops at Big Shanty
for breakfast, keep your places till tell
you to go. Get seats near each other in
the same car, and say nothing about the
matter on the way up. If anything I'M
expected occurs, look to me for the word.
You and Notwithstanding the men
twill go with me on the engine; all the
rest will go on the left of the tain for
ward of where it is uncoupled, and climb
on the cars in the best places you can,
when the order is given. If anybody in
terferes, shoot him, but don't fire until it
is necessary
Sergt. Maj. Ross, the ranking man of
the party, and as brave as any, offered
respectful protest against going further
He said that circumstances had changed
since we set out; that it was day later
than planned; that many more troops
were at Big Shanty than formerly; that
we had noticed the crowded state of the
road as we came down, and that Mitchel's
movements would make the matter worse
For all these reasons he thought it better
to put Off the attempt, or give it up alto
gether.
Our heads were very close together as
we talked, and the words softly spoken;
the door was locked, and the windows
overlooked the railroad, so that we were
sure to see the train coming. Andrews
very quietly Answered the objections of
Ross, admitting all the facts he stated,
but claiming that they only showed our
way the clearer. The military excite
ment and commotion and the number of
trains on the road would make our train
the less likely to be suspected; and as to
the troops at Big Shanty, if we did our
work promptly, they would have no
chance to interfere. Capturing the train
in the camp would be easier than any
where else, because no one would believe
it possible, and there would therefore be
no guard.
Andrews could always find reason for
everything; but these plausible arguments
were not perfectly convincing, Several
others, among whom was J. A. Wilson,
Joined in a respectful protest against pro-
ceeding. Then Andrews, speaking even
lower, as was his wont when strongly
moved, said:
Boys, i. tried this once before and
failed; now I will succeed or leave my
bones III Dixie"
The words and manner thrilled every
hearer and we assured him that we
would stand by him, and, if need be, die
with him. He grasped our hands and we
hurried to the platform, for the train was
now almost due. had said nothing in
the discussion, for 1 felt that we were
under the leadership of Andrews, and
should simply obey, leaving the respon-
sibility to rest on him. / am not sure
that, on a later critical occasion, we did
not carry this principle little too far.
Although we only needed tickets to Big
Shanty we purchased them to various
points along the line that attention might
not be attracted by such a number bound
to one place. AS the train came up we
noticed three closed box cars attached.
Every passenger train, as l have since
been informed by Conductor Fuller, was
at this time required to carry empty cars
| northward, which were brought back
| filed with bacon and other provisions,
| vast quantities of which were then being
| CLEANED out OF Tennessee and stored in
| Atlanta We all took our places close to-
| gether in one car, that we might be ready
| to help each other in case of need. knight
| sat near the front door, and says that on
| looking back he saw that most of our men
were pale, yet resolute. The passengers
| lau IndO uSO1eSS anu weary al" dS
seen in the early morning on board 6
| train.
The conductor, whose name we after
ward learned was William A. Fuller, en-
tered and began to take the tickets. He
looked narrowly at US, for it was an I'M
common thing for Sc many persons to en-
ter in body as did at Marietta; besides
he had been warned very recently Il
watch that no conscripts used his trail
for the purpose of escaping, and ordered
in case of suspicion, to telegraph for he'll
at once. No doubt we looked soldierl.
enough, but he afterward told me that b
did not suspect US of being conscripts
We also scrutinized him carefully, for
was possible that he might, If his sus
picions were IN the least aroused, en-
deavor to prevent US from taking hi
train.
He was quite young for conductor
being, as we afterward learned, only =
though he had been for seven years /
that position. He had a frank, genia
: but resolute face, was of medium siz'
and looked active and strong.
We had little leisure for looking at II
grand form Of Kenesaw mountain, wh1c
rose on our, left, and around the base {
which the road describes almost ha
circle, and then turns away before
, reaches Big Shanty. Here was fougl
one of the severest battles OF the war b
tween Sherman and Johnston; but Thu
: with their prolonged struggle over Il
> whole line of this railway, did not con
until two years later. The question
D deepest interest to us, and one whis
would be quickly solved, was How mu'